Temperature conditioning device for a food transport container

ABSTRACT

In order to provide a temperature conditioning device for a food transport container for conditioning air disposed in an internal space of a container body of the food transport container with respect to its temperature that is user-friendly and easy to maintain, it is proposed that in a closed state of the food transport container the temperature conditioning device is insertable from the exterior of the container body into a wall of the container body of the food transport device and removable therefrom.

The present disclosure relates to the subject matter disclosed in the German Patent Application No. 10 2009 006 772.8 of 30 Jan. 2009. The entire description of this earlier application is incorporated into the present description by reference.

The present invention relates to a temperature conditioning device for a food transport container for conditioning air disposed in an internal space of a container body of the food transport container with respect to its temperature.

Such temperature conditioning devices are known from the prior art.

The known temperature conditioning devices are either fixedly installed in the food transport container or are only removable from the food transport container with substantial effort. This renders maintenance of the temperature conditioning device more difficult and additionally leads to a costly cleaning of the food transport container.

The object forming the basis of the present invention is to provide a temperature conditioning device of the aforementioned type that is user-friendly and easy to maintain.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that in a closed state of the food transport container the temperature conditioning device is insertable from the exterior of the container body into a wall of the container body of the food transport device and removable therefrom.

As a result of the feature that in a closed state of the food transport container the temperature conditioning device is insertable into a wall of the container body of the food transport device and removable therefrom, an easy replacement of a defective temperature conditioning device, for example, with a new temperature conditioning device is possible, in particular when the food transport container is filled with foodstuffs to be transported. The foodstuffs disposed in the food transport container do not have to be removed for this. Moreover, for servicing only the temperature conditioning device, and not the entire food transport container, needs to be sent in for repairs.

As a result of the feature that the temperature conditioning device is insertable from an external surface of the container body into a wall of the container body of the food transport device and removable therefrom, a simple arrangement of the temperature conditioning on the food transport container is assured. Moreover, an optically pleasing structure of the food transport container with the temperature conditioning device arranged thereon is possible as a result.

It is preferred that in a installed state of the temperature conditioning device a fluid connection can be created between an internal space of the temperature conditioning device and the internal space of the container body of the food transport container, through which fluid connection a fluid, in particular air or another fluid heat transfer medium, can pass from the temperature conditioning device into the internal space of the container.

This enables a simple heat transfer from the temperature conditioning device to the foodstuffs to be transported by means of the food transport container.

In the description and the attached claims the internal space of the container body of the food transport container should be understood to mean the space of the food transport container, in which foodstuffs to be transported can be arranged.

In order to assure a simple handling of the temperature conditioning device by a user, it can be provided that the temperature conditioning device is insertable into a top wall of the container body of the food transport container and removable therefrom.

It is favourable if the temperature conditioning device comprises a heating module.

Alternatively or additionally hereto, it can be provided that the temperature conditioning device comprises a cooling module.

In order to assure a particularly efficient heat transfer from the temperature conditioning device to foodstuffs to be transported by means of the food transport container, it can be provided that the temperature conditioning device comprises a ventilator to drive an air flow through the temperature conditioning device.

It is particularly favourable if the air disposed in the food transport container can be directed in a circuit by means of the temperature conditioning device.

A particularly simple use of the temperature conditioning device is assured in particular if the temperature conditioning device comprises an operating module, by means of which, for example, a temperature to be attained by means of the temperature conditioning device can be adjusted and/or a temperature attained by means of the temperature conditioning device can be monitored.

Use of the temperature conditioning device is especially ergonomic in particular if it is provided that the operating module is arranged on a front side of the temperature conditioning device.

In this description and the attached claims the front side of the temperature conditioning device should be understood to mean the side of the temperature conditioning device, which in the installed state of the temperature conditioning device is arranged to face a user when filling the food transport container with foodstuffs or when removing foodstuffs from the food transport container.

The operating module is preferably accessible from the external surface in the installed state of the temperature conditioning device and in the closed state of the food transport container. In this way, a temperature to be attained by means of the temperature conditioning device can also be set in the closed state of the food transport container. Moreover, monitoring of the temperature attained by means of the temperature conditioning device is then also possible in the closed state of the food transport container.

The temperature conditioning device preferably comprises a receiving means for an energy supply line in order to stow the energy supply line required for operation of the temperature conditioning device in a particularly simple manner on the temperature conditioning device. This ensures that the energy supply line is constantly carried with the device and is not lost or forgotten.

It is particularly preferred if the receiving means for the energy supply line is configured as a wind-up device for winding up the energy supply line. In this way, the energy supply line can be easily arranged on the temperature conditioning device.

In order to assure a simple handling of the temperature conditioning device when in use, it can be provided that the temperature conditioning device comprises a connection for an energy supply line, which is arranged on a rear side of the temperature conditioning device. The energy supply line does not then have to be directed around the container. This reduces any tensile load of the energy supply line and therefore reduces any premature wear or defect.

In this description and the attached claims the rear side of the temperature conditioning device should be understood to mean the side of the temperature conditioning device, which in the installed state of the temperature conditioning device is arranged to face away from a user when filling the food transport container with foodstuffs or when removing foodstuffs from the food transport container.

Moreover, it is favourable if the operating module and the connection for the energy supply line are arranged on sides of the temperature conditioning device facing away from one another.

To enable an advantageous distribution of the air in the internal space of the container body of the food transport container conditioned by means of the temperature conditioning device, it can be provided that in a installed state the temperature conditioning device extends substantially over more than half, preferably three-quarters of the length of the container body of the food transport container.

It is particularly preferred if the temperature conditioning device extends substantially over the entire length of the container body of the food transport container.

The temperature conditioning device according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in a combination with a food transport container.

The combination comprising a food transport container with a container body and a temperature conditioning device has the advantages specified above in association with the temperature conditioning device according to the invention.

In order to assure a particularly simple arrangement of the temperature conditioning device on the food transport container, it can be provided that the container body of the food transport container comprises a receiving means for the temperature conditioning device.

It is favourable if the receiving means for the temperature conditioning device is configured as a recess in the wall of the container body of the food transport container.

It is particularly favourable if the recess in the wall of the container body of the food transport container has a shape that is substantially complementary to the shape of the temperature conditioning device.

In particular, it can be provided that in the installed state of the temperature conditioning device a side of the temperature conditioning device directed away from the internal space of the food transport container is substantially flush with an external surface of the container body of the food transport container.

It is advantageous if the temperature conditioning device can be secured to the container body of the food transport container to be detachable in particular from an external surface of the container body. A locking device, in particular that can be operated from the external surface, can be provided for this to detachably secure the temperature conditioning device to the container body of the food transport container.

In one configuration of the invention it is provided that the container body comprises an air duct in order to assure, in particular when the food transport container is filled with foodstuffs, that the air conditioned by means of the temperature conditioning device is distributed uniformly onto the foodstuffs and the foodstuffs are thus uniformly conditioned.

It is favourable if the air duct of the container body comprises an air inlet, which in the installed state of the temperature conditioning device is associated with an air outlet of the temperature conditioning device. A particularly uniform distribution of the air conditioned by means of the temperature conditioning device in the internal space of the container body of the food transport container is assured in this way.

A uniform distribution of the air conditioned by means of the temperature conditioning device over all levels of the internal space of the container body of the food transport container, on which foodstuffs to be transported can be arranged, results in particular if it is provided that the air duct of the container body tapers with increasing distance from the temperature conditioning device.

Simple access to the internal space of the food transport container results in particular if the food transport container comprises a door.

In a configuration of the invention it is provided that the door comprises an air duct.

It is favourable if the air duct of the door comprises an air outlet, which in the installed state of the temperature conditioning device is associated with an air inlet of the temperature conditioning device. A particularly simple suction of the air to be conditioned by means of the temperature conditioning device from the internal space of the container body of the food transport container is assured in this way.

A uniform suction of the air to be conditioned by means of the temperature conditioning device over all levels of the internal space of the container body of the food transport container, on which foodstuffs to be transported can be arranged, results in particular if it is provided that the air duct of the door tapers with increasing distance from the temperature conditioning device.

It is particularly favourable if an air passage is respectively arranged in the door and in the container body of the food transport container. This ensures a particularly advantageous suction of the air to be conditioned from the internal space of the container body of the food transport container and a particularly advantageous distribution of the conditioned air over all levels of the internal space of the container body of the food transport container, on which foodstuffs to be transported can be arranged.

An advantageous distribution of the conditioned air results in particular when the air passage of the door and the air passage of the container body of the food transport container are arranged on opposing boundary walls of the internal space of the container, so that the air disposed in the internal space of the container at the door is sucked, in particular uniformly, over all rack levels of the food transport container, is conditioned by means of the temperature conditioning device and at a wall of the container body opposite the door is distributed, preferably uniformly, over all rack levels in particular via a specially configured air duct.

The temperature conditioning device is preferably configured as a closed circuit heating module.

A low mass of the door of the food transport container and a simple handling of the food transport container are ensured in particular when the temperature conditioning device and the door are arranged on different walls of the container body of the food transport container. This also reduces the risk of a user burning him/herself e.g. at a hot point of the temperature conditioning device when filling the food transport container with foodstuffs or when removing foodstuffs from the food transport container. Because the temperature conditioning device is in particular not then arranged on the door of the food transport container, the food transport container is not top heavy when the door is open, and this provides an advantage with respect to handling and safety. This additionally ensures that the foodstuffs disposed in the internal space of the container are heated or cooled, and not the air within the space, when the door is open.

It can be provided, for example, that the temperature conditioning device is integrated, preferably detachably, into a top of the food transport device.

It can be provided in particular that the temperature conditioning device is removable from the food transport container when the door of the food transport container is closed. It is preferable in this case that no screws or the like need to be released so that unlocking of the temperature conditioning device is possible without any tool.

The entire technics of the temperature conditioning device is advantageously combined in a compact arrangement in a module.

Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective sectional representation of a food transport container with the temperature conditioning device raised from a working position on a container body of the food transport container;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective representation of the food transport container from FIG. 1 with the temperature conditioning device removed completely from the container body;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective representation of the temperature conditioning device from FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded representation of the temperature conditioning device from FIG. 1.

Identical or functionally equivalent elements have been given the same reference numerals in all figures.

A food transport container shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and given the overall reference 100 comprises a substantially cuboidal container body 102, which on its front side 104 has a filling and removal opening 106, which can be closed by means of a door (not shown).

The container body 102 comprises an outer shell 108 and an inner shell 110, which both have an approximately cuboidal structure and are connected to one another so that they form a liquid-tight interstice 112 between them.

The outer shell 108 can be formed from any desired material, e.g. a metallic material, in particular special steel, or from a plastic material, in particular polypropylene.

The inner shell 110 can also be formed from any desired material, e.g. a metallic material, in particular special steel, or from a plastic material, in particular polypropylene.

The interstice 112 is filled with a thermal insulation material, in particular a polyurethane foam, for example, for improved thermal insulation.

Two opposing vertical side walls 114, a vertical rear wall 116, a horizontal base wall 118 and a horizontal top wall 120 of the food transport container 100 are formed by means of the outer shell 108, the inner shell 110 and the interstice 112.

A longitudinal direction 121 of the food transport container 100 runs perpendicularly to the rear wall 116 and the front side 104 of the container body 102.

A transverse direction 123 of the food transport container 100 runs perpendicularly to the side walls 114 of the container body 102 and perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 121.

The vertical direction given the reference 125 runs perpendicularly to the base wall 118 and the top wall 120 of the container body 102, perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction 121 and perpendicularly to the transverse direction 123.

A plurality of, e.g. eight, horizontally running ribs 122 spaced from one another in the vertical direction 125, which project into an internal space 124 of the food transport container 100 and serve to support trays, shelves or special food containers, are respectively arranged on the facing sides of the side walls 114 of the food transport container 100.

The sides of the side walls 114 of the food transport container 100 directed away from one another respectively comprise a support device 126 for a simple transport of the food transport container 100 and a door fastening device 128 to releasably secure the door (not shown) that closes the filling and removal opening on the container body 102 (see FIG. 2).

The top wall 120 of the container body 102 comprises a receiving means 130 to receive a temperature conditioning device 132 shown separately in FIGS. 3 and 4, by means of which the internal space 124 of the food transport container 100 can be actively heated and/or cooled.

The receiving means 130 is configured as a recess on the external surface of the top wall 120 and extends in the longitudinal direction 121 from the front side 104 of the food transport container 100 as far as the rear wall 116 thereof, i.e. substantially over the entire length of the food transport container 100.

In the transverse direction 123, the receiving means 130 is arranged substantially centrally on the top wall 120 and extends in the transverse direction 123 over more than half the entire extent of the top wall 120.

The receiving means 130 is configured to be substantially complementary to the shape of the temperature conditioning device 132 and comprises a first fastening section 134 facing the front side 104 of the food transport container 100, a second fastening section 136 facing the rear wall 116 of the food transport container 100 and an opening 138 arranged between the first fastening section 134 and the second fastening section 136.

The first fastening section 134 of the receiving means 130 is configured so that the temperature conditioning device 132 can lock into place on the first fastening section 134 with a front side 140 of the temperature conditioning device 132.

The second fastening section 136 of the receiving means 130 comprises two projections 142, which can be brought into engagement with a locking device 144 of the temperature conditioning device 132 configured, for example, as a locking clamp.

For this, the locking device 144 is disposed on the temperature conditioning device 132 to be rotatable around a pivot axis 145 running in the transverse direction 123.

The temperature conditioning device 132 can be detachably secured in the receiving means 130 of the food transport container 100 by means of the locking device 144.

The temperature conditioning device 132 shown separately in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises an operating module 146 arranged on its front side 140 for setting a desired operating state of the temperature conditioning device 132. The operating module 146 comprises a display 148 to display an air temperature to be attained and/or an air temperature attained by means of the temperature conditioning device 132.

Since in the installed state of the temperature conditioning device 132 the front side 140 of the temperature conditioning device 132 is arranged on the same side of the food transport container 100 as the front side 104 of the container body 102, the operating module 146 arranged on the front side 140 of the temperature conditioning device 132 in the installed state of the temperature conditioning device 132 is arranged to face a user of the food transport container 100 when filling the food transport container 100 with foodstuffs and when removing foodstuffs from the food transport container 100.

A connection (not shown) for an energy supply line 152 is provided on a rear side 150 of the temperature conditioning device 132 opposite the front side 140.

In the case where the temperature conditioning device 132 is not required, a trough-shaped receiving means 156 is provided on an upper side 154 of the temperature conditioning device 132 for stowing the energy supply line 152 (see FIG. 3).

For easy stowage, the energy supply line 152 can be wound up on the receiving means 156. For this the receiving means 156 is configured as a wind-up device 157. The wind-up device 157 comprises two wind-up bars 159, which are oriented parallel to one another and are spaced from one another. In order to prevent the energy supply line 152 wound on the wind-up device 157 from slipping off the wind-up bars 159, the ends of the wind-up bars 159 remote from the receiving means 156 are respectively shaped like the head of a mushroom.

As may be seen from FIG. 4, the temperature conditioning device 132 comprises three substantially shell-like shaped parts, namely an upper shell 158, a central shell 160 and a lower shell 162.

The upper shell 158 comprises the receiving means 156 for the energy supply line 152. The operating module 146 with the display 148 and the locking device 144 are additionally arranged on the upper shell 158.

The upper shell 158 can be attached onto the central shell 160, in particular locked onto this.

The upper shell 158 and the central shell 160 form the substantially cuboidal outer contour of the temperature conditioning device 132.

The central shell 160 is substantially cuboidal and has a recess 164 facing the rear side 150 of the temperature conditioning device 132, into which recess the receiving means 156 for the energy supply line 152 extends in the installed state of the temperature conditioning device 132.

A curved section 166, which forms a boundary wall 168 of a yet to be described deflection section of a yet to be described air passage, is provided on the central shell 160 adjacent to the recess 164 in the transverse direction 123.

The lower shell 162 can be inserted into the central shell 160 from below, in particular locked onto this, and forms an air passage 170 with the central shell 160 in the installed state of the temperature conditioning device 132, wherein an upper boundary wall 172 of the air passage 170 is formed by the central shell 160 and a lower boundary wall 174 of the air passage 170 as well as lateral boundary walls 176 of the air passage 170 are formed by the lower shell 160.

The air passage 170 comprises two sections, namely a substantially cylindrical suction section 178, in which a ventilator 180 is arranged, and a conditioning section 182 configured as a heating section, for example, in which a heating element 184 is arranged, for example.

On its lower side the suction section 178 of the air passage 170 comprises a latticed air inlet 186 arranged in the lower boundary wall 174 and is arranged adjacent to the front side 140 of the temperature conditioning device 132 in the longitudinal direction 121.

The conditioning section 182 extends from the suction section 178 of the air passage 170 to a deflection section 188, which is arranged adjacent to the rear side 150 of the temperature conditioning device 132 in the longitudinal direction 121, is formed by the curved section 166 of the central shell 160 and deflects the air flow flowing through the air passage 170 vertically downwards.

In the installed state of the temperature conditioning device 132 the lower boundary wall 174 of the air passage 170 formed by the lower shell 162 extends in the longitudinal direction 121 only as far as the beginning of the curved section 166 of the central shell 160, so that an air outlet 190 is formed by means of the central shell 160 and the lower shell 162, through which air outlet the air flow flowing through the air passage 170 leaves the temperature conditioning device 132 downwards in the vertical direction 125 in the installed state of the temperature conditioning device 132.

A fluid connection between the internal space 124 of the food transport container 100 and the air passage 170 of the temperature conditioning device 132 is assured by virtue of the opening 138 in the receiving means 130 for the temperature conditioning device 132.

As a result of the opening 138 in the receiving means 130 for the temperature conditioning device 132, air disposed in the region of the front side 104 of the internal space 124 of the food transport container 100 can be sucked through the air inlet 186 into the air passage 170 by means of the ventilator 180.

In addition, the air flow passing through the air passage 170 can flow through the opening 138 in the receiving means 130 for the temperature conditioning device 132 into the internal space 124 of the food transport container 100.

A circuit is formed as a result of air being sucked out of the internal space 124 of the food transport container 100 by means of the ventilator 180 into the air passage 170, conditioned in the air passage 170 and finally passed back again into the internal space 124 of the food transport container 100.

For better distribution of the air conditioned by means of the temperature conditioning device 132 in the internal space 124 of the food transport container 100, an air duct 192 tapering downwards with increasing distance from the temperature conditioning device 132 is arranged on a side of the rear wall 116 facing the internal space 124 of the container (FIG. 1).

An improved distribution of the air conditioned by means of the temperature conditioning device 132 in the internal space 123 of the food transport container 100 is achieved by an air inlet (not shown) of the air duct 192 being associated with the air outlet 190 of the temperature conditioning device 132 in the installed state of the temperature conditioning device 132.

The assembly of the above-described temperature conditioning device 132 on the above-described food transport container 100 is performed as follows:

The temperature conditioning device 132 is placed with its front side 140 against the first fastening section 134 of the receiving means 130 for the temperature conditioning device 132 of the food transport container 100 and then inserted fully into the receiving means 130 for the temperature conditioning device 132.

The temperature conditioning device 132 is detachably secured to the receiving means 130 by means of the locking device 144 acting on the projections 142 of the second fastening section 136 of the receiving means 130.

No access to the internal space 124 of the food transport container 100 is necessary for the above-described operation. Moreover, no tools whatsoever are necessary for the assembly of the temperature conditioning device 132 on the receiving means 130 for the temperature conditioning device 132.

The above-described combination comprising a food transport container 100 with a container body 102 and a temperature conditioning device 132 functions as follows:

To supply the temperature conditioning device 132 with energy, the energy supply line 152 is removed from the receiving means 156 for the energy supply line 152 and an electrical connection is established between the temperature conditioning device 132 and a mains connection socket (not shown).

After opening the door (not shown), foodstuffs to be transported are inserted into the internal space 124 of the food transport container 100 through the filling and removal opening 106 of the container body 102 of the food transport container 100.

In particular when the internal space 124 and the ribs 122 are configured to match the dimensions of special food containers, foodstuffs arranged in special food containers can be arranged in a particularly simple manner in the internal space 124 of the food transport container 100.

After the food transport container 100 is filled with foodstuffs to be transported, the door (not shown) of the food transport container 100 is closed.

A desired air temperature in the internal space 124 of the food transport container 100 is set at the operating module 146 and then monitored on the display 148.

The foodstuffs arranged in the internal space 124 of the container are kept at the desired temperature or brought to the desired temperature by means of the temperature conditioning device 132.

For transport of the foodstuffs by means of the food transport container 100, the energy supply line 152 is unplugged from the mains connection socket (not shown) and arranged on the receiving means 156 for the energy supply line 152, in particular wound on the wind-up device 157.

The food transport container 100 with the temperature conditioning device 132 is then transported to a desired location.

Because of the thermal insulation of the food transport container 100, the temperature of the foodstuffs arranged in the food transport container 100 remain substantially constant during the transport.

At the desired location either a removal of the foodstuffs from the food transport container 100 occurs or a renewed conditioning of the air disposed in the internal space 124 of the container, and therefore of the foodstuffs arranged in the internal space 124 of the container occurs.

For this, the energy supply line 152 is once again plugged into a mains connection socket (not shown) and the desired temperature is set at the operating module 146.

For simple cleaning of the container body 102 or in the case of maintenance, the temperature conditioning device 132 is removed from the food transport container 100. For this, the locking device 144 is disengaged from the projections 142 by pivoting around the pivot axis 145, the rear side 150 of the temperature conditioning device 132 is lifted upwards and finally the front side 140 of the temperature conditioning device 132 is disengaged from the first fastening section 134 of the receiving means 130 for the temperature conditioning device 132.

As a result of the feature that in a closed state of the food transport container the temperature conditioning device is insertable from an external surface of the container body into a wall of the container body of the food transport device and removable therefrom, the temperature conditioning device is particularly user-friendly and easy to maintain. 

1. Temperature conditioning device for a food transport container for conditioning air disposed in an internal space of a container body of the food transport container with respect to its temperature, wherein in a closed state of the food transport container the temperature conditioning device is insertable from the exterior of the container body into a wall of the container body of the food transport device and removable therefrom.
 2. Temperature conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein in a installed state of the temperature conditioning device a fluid connection can be created between an internal space of the temperature conditioning device and the internal space of the container body of the food transport container, through which fluid connection a fluid can pass from the temperature conditioning device into the internal space of the container.
 3. Temperature conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature conditioning device is insertable into a top wall of the container body of the food transport container and removable therefrom.
 4. Temperature conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature conditioning device comprises a ventilator to drive an air flow through the temperature conditioning device.
 5. Temperature conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature conditioning device comprises an operating module.
 6. Temperature conditioning device according to claim 5, wherein the operating module is arranged on a front side of the temperature conditioning device.
 7. Temperature conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature conditioning device comprises a receiving means for an energy supply line.
 8. Temperature conditioning device according to claim 7, wherein the receiving means is a wind-up device.
 9. Temperature conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature conditioning device comprises a connection for an energy supply line, which is arranged on a rear side of the temperature conditioning device.
 10. Temperature conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein in a installed state the temperature conditioning device extends substantially over more than half a length of the container body of the food transport container.
 11. Combination comprising a food transport container with a container body and a temperature conditioning device for the food transport container for conditioning air disposed in an internal space of the container body of the food transport container with respect to its temperature, wherein in a closed state of the food transport container the temperature conditioning device is insertable from the exterior of the container body into a wall of the container body of the food transport device and removable therefrom.
 12. Combination according to claim 11, wherein the container body of the food transport container comprises a receiving means for the temperature conditioning device.
 13. Combination according to claim 11, wherein the container body comprises an air duct.
 14. Combination according to claim 11, wherein a door comprising an air duct is provided for closing the food transport container.
 15. Combination according to claim 13, wherein at least one air duct tapers with increasing distance from the temperature conditioning device.
 16. Combination according to claim 11, wherein the food transport container comprises a door and wherein the temperature conditioning device and the door are arranged on different walls of the container body of the food transport container. 